3-Week Bolivia and Peru Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Bolivia And Peru itineraries

Compiled by

NadineBolivia and Peru travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Day South America Itinerary, incl. Peru, Bolivia and Chile

  This 21-day tour presents Peru and Bolivia's finest sites. Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca's floating islands, and Salar de Uyuni await. Local culture comes alive at G Adventures-supported initiatives like Parwa Restaurant and Ccaccaccollo Weaving Co-op.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Lima & Cusco, Peru

    Start in Lima then take a quick 1-hour flight to Cusco. The altitude in Cusco is no joke. One traveler shared: "Cusco's altitude is serious stuff - I got migraines even with altitude sickness tablets." Your first day should be low-key. Drink coca tea and stay hydrated since the Sacred Valley sits at 11,500 feet.

    
  • Days 3-7

    Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

    Walk Cusco's historic streets before moving on to the Sacred Valley. Stop at the women's weaving cooperative in Ccaccaccollo to buy textiles straight from local artisans. Take the train to Aguas Calientes and get an early bus up to Machu Picchu. One experienced traveler suggests: "I recommend the optional 1-day Inca Trail hike even though it's pricey - it makes the Machu Picchu arrival so much more special."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Lake Titicaca & Puno

    The bus ride to Puno takes about 7.5 hours through the Altiplano. Visit the floating islands of Uros and Taquile Island. A visitor notes: "The views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning, but pack warm layers - it gets very cold on the lake."

    
  • Days 10-11

    La Paz, Bolivia

    Head into Bolivia and La Paz, one of the world's highest capitals. You can try the Death Road bike tour or check out the unique Witches' Market. At 13,000 feet you'll need to watch your altitude symptoms.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Sucre & Potosí

    Fly to Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital with beautiful colonial buildings. A 2.5-hour bus ride takes you to Potosí, once the richest city in the world because of its silver mines.

    
  • Days 15-18

    Uyuni Salt Flats & Atacama Desert

    Take a three-day 4x4 trip across the Salar de Uyuni. One traveler warns: "The Salt Flats are incredible but extremely cold - pack serious winter gear even in summer." Enter Chile and drop 6,500 feet into the Atacama Desert.

    
  • Days 19-21

    San Pedro de Atacama & Santiago

    See the Valley of the Moon and try sandboarding or mountain biking in San Pedro. A visitor notes: "San Pedro feels like returning to civilization after the basic facilities in the Salt Flats." Finish your trip in Santiago, Chile's modern capital.

    

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• 20 Days in South America, incl. Buenos Aires and Machu Picchu

  Iconic sites of Bolivia and Peru unfold before you. La Paz's Witches Market, Lake Titicaca's Uros Islands, Cusco's Q'oricancha Temple, and Machu Picchu await. Internal flights, 19 breakfasts, and carefully selected accommodations included.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Begin your journey in Argentina's lively capital. Take a guided tour through historic La Boca and San Telmo neighborhoods. "The Recoleta Cemetery tour was fascinating - definitely join a guided walk to understand the history behind the ornate mausoleums." Use your second day to explore more or take a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay. Just remember your passport.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Salta & Cafayate, Argentina

    Fly to Salta in the Andean foothills. Ride the cable car up Cerro San Bernardo for panoramic city views and spend your evening at a peña listening to folk music. Head to Cafayate the next day through scenic canyons. Stop at high-altitude vineyards for wine tasting. The road gets quite winding so consider motion sickness pills.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Atacama Desert, Chile

    Travel to Chile's Atacama Desert on a 10-hour drive through the Andes. Stay in San Pedro de Atacama while exploring Moon Valley's unique landscapes. You can visit El Tatio geysers early morning but pack warm clothes. Temperatures often drop below freezing before sunrise.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

    Take a 3-day 4WD tour across the world's largest salt flat. You'll stay in basic lodges where electricity is limited. Bring sunglasses and lip balm to protect against the intense salt glare. One reviewer noted: "The landscapes in NW Argentina, Chile and Bolivia are unsurpassed globally."

    
  • Days 10-11

    La Paz, Bolivia

    Fly into La Paz. Visit the Witches' Market and Plaza Murillo. Take it slow these first days at 11,942ft altitude. Drink coca tea and skip alcohol. Consider a day trip to Tiwanaku ruins if you're interested in archaeology.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Lake Titicaca Region

    See Copacabana's basilica before entering Peru. Visit the Uros floating islands but remember these are local communities not tourist exhibits. The lake sits at 12,500ft so continue with altitude precautions.

    
  • Days 14-15

    Cusco, Peru

    Take a bus across the Altiplano to Cusco. Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress and nearby Inca sites. At 11,152ft most travelers are used to the altitude but still take care. Book your restaurants early as popular spots fill up quickly.

    
  • Days 16-17

    Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

    Discover the Sacred Valley's ruins and markets. Take the train to Machu Picchu and sit on the right for the best views. Get to the site early for classic photos without crowds. Book Huayna Picchu permits months in advance if you want to climb it.

    
  • Days 18-20

    Cusco & Lima

    You can visit Machu Picchu again before returning to Cusco. End your trip in Lima with walks through the historic center. Book dinner reservations well ahead to try Peru's famous restaurants.

    

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• 20 Days in Peru & Galapagos, incl. Lima and Cusco

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Lima & Paracas

    Begin in Lima's Miraflores district and explore the historic center. Visit the Central Market around 8 AM to watch locals shopping and sample traditional foods. Take a minivan to Paracas, but remember motion sickness pills for the winding coastal road.

    
  • Days 3-5

    Nazca & Arequipa

    Start with a morning boat ride to see wildlife at Islas Ballestas, then continue to Nazca. Book an early morning flight for the best views of the Nazca Lines when the air is calmest. When you reach Arequipa, take it slow your first day due to the 7,660 ft altitude. Skip alcohol and drink plenty of water.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Lake Titicaca Region

    On your way to Puno, you'll pass through beautiful Altiplano landscapes and can stop at the pre-Inca Sillustani ruins. Pack warm clothes for Lake Titicaca since it sits at 12,500 ft. The walk up Taquile Island takes about an hour and can be tough at this altitude. Go at your own pace.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Cusco & Sacred Valley

    The bus ride to Cusco takes 7-8 hours but offers great views. One traveler shared: "The altitude hit me hard in Cusco. Take it very easy the first day and drink lots of coca tea." Use your tourist ticket to visit sites like Sacsayhuaman. Visit the Huilloq community in the Sacred Valley for a real cultural experience away from crowds.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Machu Picchu

    If you want to do the One Day Inca Trail, book at least 30 days ahead and bring hiking poles for the steep sections. Regular visitors should take the 5:30 AM bus to Machu Picchu to avoid crowds and heat. Bring rain gear just in case.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Cusco to Quito

    Spend one more day in Cusco before flying to Lima and then Quito. Plan extra time for your Quito transfer since traffic can make it last over an hour. The city sits at 9,350 ft, so take your time exploring the historic areas.

    
  • Days 16-20

    Galapagos Islands

    Fly to the islands early morning. Choose a midship cabin to avoid seasickness on the boat. You'll want an underwater camera for snorkeling, and consider renting a wetsuit since the water can be cold. A recent visitor noted: "The wildlife encounters were incredible but pack sun protection - the equatorial sun is intense even on cloudy days."

    

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